De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Island Aviation Services Limited (Maldivian), the national airline of the Maldives, for the purchase of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft, marking the first order for the latest-generation Twin Otter in the island nation.
Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement will introduce the Twin Otter Classic 300-G to the Maldives, the world’s largest operating market for the Twin Otter aircraft. The new aircraft will strengthen Maldivian‘s regional fleet and support essential inter-island connectivity across the archipelago.
“The Maldives has long been known as the home of the Twin Otter,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales at De Havilland Canada. “As the largest Twin Otter market in the world, there is no better place to introduce the next generation of this legendary aircraft. We are proud that Island Aviation Services Limited will become the first operator in the country to bring the Twin Otter Classic 300-G into service, reinforcing a partnership that has connected the islands and their communities for generations.”
The Twin Otter Classic 300-G builds on the aircraft’s established reputation for reliability and short take-off and landing (STOL) performance while incorporating modern avionics, improved passenger comfort and enhanced maintainability. The aircraft also features weight reductions that increase payload capacity for passengers and cargo, improving overall operating economics.
Island Aviation Services operates an extensive domestic network linking Malé with remote islands and tourist destinations throughout the Maldives. The addition of the new aircraft is expected to enhance the airline’s ability to deliver reliable regional air services while supporting the continued growth of tourism and domestic connectivity.
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“We are proud that we will be the first airline in the Maldives to introduce the Twin Otter Classic 300-G,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited. “The Twin Otter has been an integral part of aviation in the Maldives for decades, and this newest generation aircraft will allow us to continue providing the dependable service our passengers expect while benefiting from the aircraft’s latest technological and operational enhancements.”
With more than 1,000 Twin Otter aircraft produced globally, the platform continues to serve operators in some of the world’s most demanding environments. The introduction of the Classic 300-G also reinforces De Havilland Canada’s focus on modernising legacy fleets while supporting operators with enhanced lifecycle performance, maintainability and long-term aftermarket support.
